Last night, my critique partners and I had a little pre-party getting ready for the launch over at Writers In The Storm later today.

After my Writers In The Storm Pre-party...Obviously I’m excited about this!

In order to really play hard on The Devil’s Playground here at More Cowbell, you need ALL the details!

The theme for this party is Devil: devil-mania, Devil Dogs, Devil-ish. You name it, if it’s got Devil in it (in a good way) we want to know about it.

How do I tell people about my devilish delights, you might ask….Come party on Twitter at #DevilColony. Go set up your TweetDeck column right now!

It’s fine, I’ll hold on. (I’ll just get in a little dancing while I wait…rhumba-ing up and down the hall…)

OK, now that you’re set up to follow the #DevilColony stream, it’s time to plan the party snacks for Tuesday’s launch.
We’re gonna be at it for 24 hours, so you’ll want to lay in some supplies. Deviled eggs, Devil Dogs, deviled ham… On second thought, deviled ham is a little gross. Just have enough of your favorite munchies on hand to stay close to your computer…you never know who might pop in.

Oh, you have to work?What, you could play hooky for the #RoyalWedding and not for James’ #DevilColony Launch? Where’s the LOVE???

What are we gonna do at #DevilColony?
Have a blast, of course! Socialize, hang out with James, our favorite tweeps and all the literary luminaries who happen to stop in. You know, the best-selling authors, agents, editors who want to visit with James (and gush about the book). Forget your other Tuesday plans — #DevilColony on Twitter is the social event to be seen at!

What else is happening on #DevilColony besides “hanging out?”
Prizes! Not only are you there to meet, greet and Follow, you are encouraged to upload pictures of your party in progress. People will randomly be chosen for prizes, but the MOST CREATIVE pictures will make their way to a Wall of Fame over on James’ site, and can also win the big Mystery Prize. (Kristen Lamb is in spearheading this launch and that girl knows how to PARTY!!)

I’m thinking a picture of my Little Devil will be in order…something with her Elmo chair, since it’s red…. Hmmm, I DEFINITELY want to be on that wall!

Thinking about Baby Girl always brings me to her Rockstar Daddy, the undisputed KING of translating Man-Speak. We were in the car the other day, lost in our own thoughts (or so I thought) and after a while, I reached my hand over and asked that age-old female question:

What are you thinking about?

Over in the driver’s seat he smiled, which I took to mean that he was thinking about something VERY cool. (I should know better…)

Him: Well, I’m thinking about where we’re going and noticing that silver sedan has a tail light out. The driver in that green car two lanes over is talking on the phone and not staying in her lane—

Me: OK, OK…I get the picture.

And quiet reigned once more in the car (since driving isn’t a remotely scintillating subject).

When we got home we started talking about how many thoughts are usually circling in my brain while he stays focused on the task at hand (he’s an engineer, I’m a writer…sue me).

Then he says: Sometimes I’m not thinking much of anything…I’m just hanging out in my Nothing Box.

Me: Excuse me, where? Is this some new term for porn?

He assured me that it wasn’t and dragged me to the computer. My Honey was very nearly giddy over the chance to explain the Nothing Box to me. Suddenly, so many things became clear!

My Friday Request to You (besides “Hurry over to #DevilColony”):Whether you are a man wishing to be understood, or a woman wishing to figure out the keys to “Man-Speak”, the following video should prove helpful. Try to watch it with a member of the opposite sex if you can.

So…what do you think? Is Mark Gungor (the comedian) onto something with this Nothing Box business? Did you already know all about it? And, back to the Worldwide Book Party Launch, do you have The Devil Colony pre-ordered yet? What is your favorite James Rollins book?

18 Responses to Friday Devil’s Playground: The Key To “Man-Speak” and a Devilish Party

OHHH! So THAT’s where all my guys are!
Since I’m the only girl in this house, w/2 teen sons & 1 hero, I always feel as though I’m the one thinking FOR everybody.
This explains a lot….
See you at the party!

Great fun and giggles. After nearly 30 yrs of marriage I’ve learned to accept it when my husband says nothing. It works out because when my brain boils over with too much something? His brain will pick up the overflow every now and then.

What a hoot! It took be about three years of knowing my husband to fully grasp that he was genuinely capable of thinking nothing. I don’t get it, but I believe him. Thanks for the shout out! See you at the party!

I don’t know if you had time to read through the comments, but NONE of us get it. I just can’t imagine thinking about nothing (and finding it relaxing). Maybe it’s because we’re writers and have entire worlds in our heads….

We also took a vote on Twitter and of the five of us discussing, ALL of us female writers had married someone tied to computers – programmers, network engineers, etc. Isn’t that an interesting little stat??

Thanks, Tif! When Kristen calls, we listen, huh? (Should we change her name from The Lambo to E.F. Hutton?? <– p.s. are you too young for this joke?) At any rate, I had lots and lots of fun with these #DevilColony posts! Could you tell?